Feature Gazans show cautious hope ahead of first local elections in 20 years The city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza is set to hold municipal elections for the first time in nearly two decades. By Rasha Abou Jalal In Gaza City, reporting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Analysis On eve of Palestinian local elections, competition in short supply With many races unopposed and rivals excluded, the vote underscores a calibrated effort to contain dissent and prioritize stability. By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Interview Olmert: Only Israel-Lebanon deal can curb Hezbollah, occupation 'unviable' Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Al-Monitor that Israel will only be able to defang Hezbollah if it reaches an agreement with the Lebanese government.
Analysis Why Netanyahu caved to Trump on Lebanon and what it means for Israel Israelis express anger that the prime minister's maneuvering to stay out of jail has allowed the US to once again "hijack" foreign policy and national security decision-making. By Ben Caspit In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense
Iran war deepens Gaza crisis as prices soar, aid falters By Daoud Kuttab In Amman, reporting on Palestinian politics
Analysis Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority By Abeer Ayyoub In Istanbul, reporting on Palestine
Volunteers clear rubble from Gaza's streets In cooperation with community associations and with masses of individual volunteers, the Gaza City municipality is leading a massive effort to clear the enclave of rubble left by the recent Israeli airstrikes. Palestine
Jordan picks up regional diplomacy following Blinken, Bin Zayed visits US Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to Jordan as a key partner and friend in his recent visit to Amman, yet the Hashemite kingdom is facing a new geopolitical reality making it’s diplomatic role in Mideast peace more challenging. Jordan
Netanyahu blasts UN right council's probe as 'shameful' The UN Human Rights Council voted on Thursday to establish a “Commission of Inquiry” to investigate rights violations in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Israel
A look at which countries have pledged money to Gaza Egypt and Qatar are leading the pack, each pledging to provide $500 million in aid to Gaza. Palestine
Egypt seeks long-term deal between Israel, Hamas Egypt, which brokered last week's cease-fire that ended hostilities and between Israel and Hamas and also hosted Palestinian reconciliation talks earlier this year, hopes it can help put in place a long-term truce. News Brief
UAE ramps up diplomacy following Israel-Hamas conflict 'There is no worse tragedy than that of Palestine over last 100 years,' Emirati political analyst Abdulkhaleq Abdulla told Al-Monitor. DONT USE - Gulf Pulse
UN rights chief warns Israel's Gaza strikes could be war crimes UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called for Israel to allow for independent investigations into its latest escalation with Hamas. Israel
Hamas to try collaborators in military courts, claiming legality Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, is seeking the formation of military field courts under a PLO law to try collaborators accused of spying for Israel during the latest escalation round between the two sides. Palestine
Hamas claims Israeli assassinations won't hobble resistance Despite major losses against Israel, including the killing of two of its top leaders, Hamas still clings to victory narrative. Palestine
The Takeaway: US ties with Egypt loom large again Picking up the pieces in Gaza; the uneasy, uncertain peace between Israel and Hamas; PLO and Hamas still can’t find common ground; Russia on the diplomatic sidelines; desert kingdom looks to build forest; and more! Egypt
Israeli war adds scars to Palestinian psyche Activists see Israel’s bombing of cultural centers, bookstores and other cultural institutions in the Gaza Strip, as well as the killing of a 17-year-old in a refugee camp in the West Bank, as an attempt to obliterate Palestine’s cultural identity. Palestine
Gaza survivors recount hours trapped under rubble The Israeli shelling of the Gaza Strip has destroyed hundreds of houses and buildings, leaving many to stuck under rubble that rescuers are ill-equipped to move. Palestine
